Saving Seafood

Haddock, cod limits may rise for recreational anglers

March 14, 2016 — Recreational fishermen currently are barred from fishing for Gulf of Maine cod, but that could change — albeit not by much — under a proposal from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that also significantly increases recreational catch limits for haddock.

NOAA Fisheries is soliciting public comment on its proposed rule change that would allow individual recreational anglers to keep one cod per day — as long as the catch meets or exceeds the 24-inch minimum size inside the  Gulf of Maine regulated mesh area and 22 inches outside it — from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30.

The comments must be received at NOAA Fisheries no later than March 18.

The proposed rule change also would afford recreational fishermen far more latitude in fishing for Gulf of Maine haddock throughout the 2016 fishing season set to begin May 1, allowing a daily bag limit that is five times greater than the current limit.

In the 2015 season, individual recreational anglers could catch and keep up to three haddock per day during two stretches of the season (May 1 to Aug. 31 and Nov. 1 to Feb. 29) as long as the catch met or exceeded the minimum size of 17 inches.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

NEW JERSEY: Anglers, you have the floor

January 21, 2016 — North Jersey anglers are a passionate bunch.

During the course of a year, I’m always getting questions about why certain things are done regarding everything from regulations to stocking. Folks aren’t shy about sharing what they think, especially when they have thoughts about what could be done better.

And while I enjoy listening, there’s a much better sounding board available. The best part is that this venue gives you a chance to really make a difference.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife will be hosting another public forum to discuss freshwater fisheries research, management and recreational angling at 10 a.m. Jan. 30 at the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery in Warren County.

These forums are aimed at improving communication with the angling public and to solicit public input in shaping freshwater fisheries in the future. These events are a perfect opportunity for all freshwater anglers to learn about the state’s existing programs and to share their views and recommendations.

This isn’t just a show. The goal is to make fishing in New Jersey the best it can be, and the people in charge are open to all ideas.

Read the full story at NewJersey.com

 

MASSACHUSETTS: Study eyes fish freed from hooks

December 24, 2015 — Researchers at the New England Aquarium, in conjunction with those from state agencies, are getting closer to releasing study results on the collateral impact of recreational haddock discards on the overall mortality rate of the species.

Dr. John Mandelman, director of research at the Boston-based aquarium, said the the field work for the study was completed in early November. He expects the New England Fishery Management Council, which helped fund the study, to complete vetting the analysis sometime early next spring.

The field work was performed with significant assistance from recreational fishing operators such as Gloucester-based Yankee Fleet and Seabrook, New Hampshire-based Eastman’s Docks Fishing Fleet.

“As with all studies, what we very much tried to do was to work as much as possible as part of a legitimate fishing effort, or what we call a fishery-dependent exercise” Mandelman said. “This was a really nice partnership.”

Mandelman said project researchers made about eight trips last spring aboard some of the Yankee Fleet’s larger party boats, focusing on observing how a full range of anglers — from novice to veteran — performed catch-and-release of haddock discards, while also charting catch gear, catch conditions, injuries to the fish, time out of water and sea temperatures.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

NORTH CAROLINA: Fish wars swirl around NC’s diminishing southern flounder

September 12, 2015 — Not the prettiest nor the most elusive of fish, the flat, oval-shaped southern flounder is nonetheless a tasty staple along the North Carolina coast, whether it’s caught by fishing rod or purchased in a seafood market or restaurant.

These days the southern flounder is making waves that reach all the way to the state capital, pitting recreational anglers against commercial operators, setting a regulatory commission’s members against one another and their staff, and prompting legislators to wade into a controversy that is the territory of the executive branch. Accusations of political threats and retaliation abound.

The controversy centers on how extensively the flounder is being over-fished. Conservationists and recreational anglers say the fish is so popular that its numbers are in danger of being depleted, and point out that the catch has dropped by 60 percent in the past 20 years. But commercial fishermen say the two groups are being alarmists and are trying to take a shortcut around the process that is in place to regulate fishing.

The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources notes that the smaller catch could be caused in part by stricter regulations. Commercial anglers have succeeded in convincing the environmental agency to reverse its initial support for temporary limits, and have brought a halt to the proposed rewrite of the regulations.

The stakes are large: Ninety-six percent of all the southern flounder that went into commercial markets in the United States in 2013 came from North Carolina waters. Last year, 1.7 million pounds were caught that sold to dealers for $4.8 million.

Read the full story at the The News & Observer